Latest blog by Andrea Donsky, co-founder of NaturallySavvy.com. Read more...

Cooking

  • Why Is There So Much Sodium In My Diet?

    Why Is There So Much Sodium In My Diet?
    Lisa Tsakos

    In ancient times, salt was precious. Roman soldiers were given a handful every day and later were even given money to buy their own salt. Greeks also used salt as currency. This was referred to as salarium argentum meaning salt money. In fact, the word salary is derived from this Latin term. Nowadays, salt is so plentiful, inexpensive, and readily available that most of us go out of ou...

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  • Are any cooking oils genetically modified?

    Are any cooking oils genetically modified?
    Lisa Tsakos

    Q: Are any cooking oils genetically modified? -Leslie A: Yes, cottonseed oil, soybean oil, corn oil, and canola oil are derived from genetically modified plants. Currently the U.S. Department of Agriculture and FDA does not require GMOs (genetically modified organisms) to be labelled. To avoid GMOs, buy organic. Animal studies have shown GMOs can cause severe health-related problems, f...

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  • How can I save money in my pantry?

    How can I save money in my pantry?
    Lisa Tsakos

    Q: I throw away a lot of dried goods that sit in my cupboards for ages. How can I save money and make sure I use up what I buy? A: Purchase dry groceries in bulk. Theyre less expensive (you dont pay for packaging) and you can buy only the amount that you need. Whole foods dont last as long as refined, however, so date them prior to storing.

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  • Is there a tasty way to steam greens?

    Is there a tasty way to steam greens?
    Lisa Tsakos

    Q: Ive heard that steamed greens are very healthy, but the idea doesnt appeal to me. Is there a taste bud-friendly way to prepare them? A: Steaming is the healthiest way to cook vegetables. Greens cook in only two to ten minutes and can be delicious. Drizzle lightly steamed greens (spinach, arugula, kale, etc.) with olive oil and a gentle squeeze of lemon. Add a little crunch with a sp...

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  • What is a tasty and good salt substitute?

    What is a tasty and good salt substitute?
    Lisa Tsakos

    Q: What is a tasty and good salt substitute? A: There's a great product called "HealthESalt" which has 1/2 the sodium of regular salt. If you can't find it, you can use seaweed flakes (Maine Coast Sea Seasonings is a great brand). They cost less than $5, have a salty taste, provide 60+ other minerals, and less than 100 mg of sodium per teaspoon (compared to 2,000 mg of salt).  

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  • Should I soak grains before cooking them?

    Should I soak grains before cooking them?
    Lisa Tsakos

    Q. I heard I should soak grains before cooking them, like i would do with beans. Is this true? - Marlene A: Yes, our ancestors (and maybe even our grandparents) soaked or fermented their grains before making them into meals (like bread and porridge). Grains contain natural ingredients that can cause intestinal distress and possibly more serious health problems. One of these natural ingredients - ...

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  • Is milk the best source of calcium?

    Is milk the best source of calcium?
    Lisa Tsakos

    Q. What are your thoughts on the body's ability to use the calcium in milk? Is milk the best source of calcium? What other foods come close in providing calcium in our daily food? - Uche A: The benefits of cow's milk to the human body are questionable as many of us cannot digest it for one reason or another. Though dairy products are considerably higher in calcium than most other foods...

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  • Does the “soybean” contain "complete" proteins?

    Does the “soybean” contain "complete" proteins?
    Lisa Tsakos

    Q. Does the “soybean” (and hence products like soy milk) contain all the essential amino acids, thereby making it a "complete" protein? - Judy A: This question has been debated for years. Though the humble soybean does contain all 20+ amino acids and is therefore considered complete, the body doesn't appear to "use" protein from soy the same way it uses animal proteins. A...

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  • Is there a difference between grades of olive oil?

    Lisa Tsakos

    Q. Is there a difference between grades of olive oil?  A: You really do get what you pay for with olive oil. Olive oil labeled extra-virgin indicates that the olives were pressed only once, extracting the richest flavors and including, what the industry calls, the “miscellaneous” ingredients that come naturally with it. These ingredients include antioxidants called polyphenols. Polyphenols stop LD...

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  • Sushi Ingredients

    Lisa Tsakos

    Q. Sushi is my favorite type of food. In a common California roll cream cheese and imitation crab meat are ingredients. Are there alternatives for these 2 ingredients? -Kirstin  A: Unfortunately many commercially-bought sushi rolls contain ingredients that don't need to be there - like aspartame, MSG, and cream cheese. Sushi contains nori (seaweed), rice, and ginger as its basic ingredients, ...

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